MUZAFFARABAD (Web Desk) – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani was elected prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Friday, securing 30 votes in the Legislative Assembly and defeating Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi.
Abbasi, the only candidate contesting against Gillani, received 14 votes.
A total of 44 lawmakers participated in the voting. Following the count, AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq formally announced Gillani’s victory, prompting applause and slogans from supporters in the galleries.
Gillani succeeds the PPP’s Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, who had assumed the office of AJK prime minister in November 2025.
44 lawmakers cast votes
The AJK Legislative Assembly has a total strength of 53 members, but seven constituencies in Poonch and Sudhnoti are still awaiting elections.
The current strength of the assembly therefore stands at 46 members, with the PML-N and its allies commanding 32 seats and the PPP holding 14.
Only 44 votes were cast in Friday’s election. The speaker did not vote, while PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir was absent from the proceedings.
Former AJK prime minister Raja Farooq Haider, who had earlier reportedly opposed Gillani’s nomination, attended the session and entered the assembly alongside the newly elected premier.
Gillani’s nomination followed internal disagreement
Gillani’s elevation came after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced his nomination during consultations with senior PML-N leaders from AJK in Islamabad.
The meeting at the Prime Minister’s House was attended by Shah Ghulam Qadir, Raja Farooq Haider, Chaudhry Tariq Farooq and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Raza Qadri.
Rana Sanaullah and senior PML-N leader Saad Rafique were also present.
During the discussions, the AJK leadership was informed that PML-N President Nawaz Sharif had decided to nominate Gillani for the region’s top executive position.
The choice reportedly met resistance from Qadir and Haider, who disagreed with the party leadership’s decision and initially indicated that they would stay away from the election.
Further discussions were subsequently held in an effort to address the disagreement.
By Friday, however, Haider participated in the assembly proceedings, while Qadir remained absent.
Gillani emerged as contender after reserved-seat victory
Speculation surrounding Gillani’s possible nomination intensified after he was elected to the AJK Legislative Assembly on a reserved seat on Aug. 24.
The party’s regional leadership had reportedly expected a different approach to selecting the prime minister, contributing to internal disagreement over Gillani’s nomination.
Despite the differences, the PML-N went into Friday’s vote with a comfortable numerical advantage, and Gillani secured the premiership with a 16-vote margin over the PPP candidate.
PML-N holds commanding position in assembly
The political balance in the AJK Assembly emerged from elections conducted in phases because of security and law-and-order concerns.
The first phase of polling was held on July 27, followed by the second on Aug. 2 and the third on Aug. 10.
The third phase had initially been planned for all 11 constituencies of Poonch Division, covering Bagh, Haveli, Poonch and Sudhnoti districts. However, voting proceeded only in Bagh and Haveli after the Election Commission raised concerns about the security situation elsewhere.
In direct elections held so far for 38 constituencies, the PML-N secured 25 seats, while the PPP won 12.
The sole elected member of the Awami Dast-o-Bazu party subsequently aligned with the PML-N.
On reserved seats, the PML-N secured six while the PPP obtained two, strengthening the former’s position in the legislature.
PPP alleges irregularities in AJK elections
The PPP has challenged the credibility of the election process, alleging widespread irregularities and rigging.
Those allegations remain politically contested and would require determination by the relevant election and judicial authorities.
Gillani’s election nevertheless gives the PML-N control of the AJK government as the region continues to await polling in the remaining constituencies.
The new prime minister will face the immediate challenge of governing amid political divisions, completing the electoral process and addressing public concerns that contributed to recent unrest in parts of the region.